Synonyms of sparse

sparse

adjective

ˈspärs 

as in scarce

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

open land is sparse around here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scarce
• poor
• scanty
• scant
• meager
• skimpy
• lacking
• insufficient
• lowest
• slender
• small
• light
• inadequate
• stingy
• exiguous
• sparing
• short
• minimal
• spare
• slim
• thin on the ground
• hand-to-mouth
• mere
• thin
• deficient
• skimp
• least
• bare-bones
• sterile
• wanting
• slightest
• bare
• littlest
• barren
• slight
• unfruitful
• unproductive
• infertile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abundant
• adequate
• ample
• sufficient
• plentiful
• copious
• generous
• satisfactory
• enough
• bountiful
• liberal
• rich
• tolerable
• fertile
• fruitful
• prolific
• fat
• plenteous
• lavish
• luxuriant
• extra
• fecund
• excess
• bursting
• flourishing
• thriving
• surplus
• proliferative
• teeming
• blooming
• swarming

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sparse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sparse are meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, and spare. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

When might meager be a better fit than sparse?

Although the words meager and sparse have much in common, meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

In what contexts can scant take the place of sparse?

The words scant and sparse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When is it sensible to use scanty instead of sparse?

While in some cases nearly identical to sparse, scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When could skimpy be used to replace sparse?

The meanings of skimpy and sparse largely overlap; however, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to sparse?

In some situations, the words spare and sparse are roughly equivalent. However, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparse

The Kings began in 1967 before a sparse crowd in Long Beach, as executive Alan Rothenberg helped sell a skeptical Southern California on hockey’s place in a warm-weather city. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

A couple of decades later, however, Ryan Field gamedays often seemed sparse. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Such direct observations can be detailed, but they are often limited to near-coastal regions and unevenly distributed, while many of the most important stages of hurricane development occur over the open ocean where direct observations are sparse. — Chanh Kieu, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

The best evidence scientists had for the phenomenon was from magnetic signals recorded in ancient rocks, but those are sparse and inconclusive. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026